Thurs Sept 6: Hurricane Leslie Live Blog/Videos
[Updating] The island is in full preparation mode as Hurricane Leslie continues to churn its way towards Bermuda. In their 6am update today [Sept 6] the Bermuda Weather Service said a tropical storm watch is expected to be issued at 11:30am, as that will be 48 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm force winds in the marine area.
In their 5am update, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Leslie is 440 miles south south-east of Bermuda, and moving towards the north at 1mph. Leslie’s maximum sustained winds are near 75mph [120km/h] with higher gusts.
The BWS has advised that Hurricane Leslie may come within 20 to 40 miles of the island early Sunday morning as potentially a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour.
Local forecasters said Leslie could be a “historic storm,” and the tsland could possibly experience hurricane force winds for up to two days.
The Causeway will remain open until sustained winds exceed 50 knots, public schools will be closed on Friday, Digicel has a private jet equipped with emergency supplies on stand-by and BELCO are prepared for a direct impact and their Hurricane Response Plan is activated.
As updates, additional announcements and new forecasts come in today, we will update this article with all pertinent information. You can view all our Hurricane Leslie coverage thus far here.
Update 11.24am: Some people have not heeded Government’s warnings and the beach closures, and surfers can be seen along South Shore. The video below was filmed at around 10.30am this morning.
Update 11.27am: Video of the surf and pre-storm preparations at Elbow Beach
Update 12.10pm: In their latest update the U.S. National Hurricane Center said that “Leslie has barely moved since last night.” Hurricane Leslie is now 430 miles south south-east of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds are near 75mph [120km/h] with higher gusts. The NHC said they expect only a “slow northward drift for the next 48 hours.”
In their 12pm update, Bermuda Weather Service forecaster Michelle Pitcher said: “If Leslie continues her slow speed then a Hurricane watch may not be issued until tomorrow.”
Update 1.15pm: The Fairmont hotels released a statement about their preparation, it can be read here.
Update 1.29pm: Butterfield Bank said due to Hurricane Leslie, in-branch banking and drive-thru banking services will not be available on Saturday [Sept 8], and certain ATMs that are exposed to the elements will be taken out of service intentionally beginning tomorrow to prevent damage. Their full statement is here.
Update 2.46pm: The Argus Group has released a comprehensive set of hurricane tips, which can be read here.
Update 3.33pm: The Bermuda Cricket Board said: “Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Leslie all Logic 1st Division fixtures have been cancelled for this weekend. As the BCB has already announced that there will be no more rescheduling all teams will receive 5 points for a No Result.”
Update 3.39pm: Saltus Grammar School sent an email out to parents prior to Hurricane Leslie, saying they will remain open tomorrow [Sept 7], but will be closed on Monday [Sept 10].
Update 5.08pm: In light of the pending hurricane, the BPSU has postponed the 60th Anniversary events planned for the week of 9th September 2012 until further notice.
Update 5.10pm: The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a ‘Tropical Storm Watch’
Update 6.33pm: An updated release has been issued following a second meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation today [Sept 6] which provided information on the buses, ferries, Causeway, emergency shelter and more. A quick summary is below, and the full statement is here.
- Hurricane Leslie to pass close by the island early on Sunday morning
- Causeway to close when sustained winds exceed 50 knots, expected to be late Sat. afternoon
- Government offices will close at 3pm tomorrow to allow staff to make final preparations
- Ferries will run to schedule tomorrow but will not run Saturday and Sunday
- Buses will continue service on Saturday until winds exceed 40 knots
- Public schools will be closed to all students on Friday
- CedarBridge is the island-wide emergency shelter, will open from 12 noon on Saturday
- Department of Airport Operations to announce tomorrow when the Airport will close
- Final storm preparations should be completed by the evening of Friday
Update 6.36pm: Watch Hill Park & Spittal Pond in Smiths at 2.30pm this afternoon
Update 7.05pm: Mount Saint Agnes school will be open on Friday [Sept 7], however will be closed on Monday.
Update 7.37pm: This visible image of Hurricane Leslie below was captured aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite on Sept. 5 at as the storm was approaching Bermuda, and just becoming a hurricane. Credit: NASA Goddard/MODIS Rapid Response Team
Update 8.16pm: A few photos are below of senior officials from various entities leaving the Emergency Measures Organisation meeting held today [Sept 6].
Update 8.46pm: Quick video below of the waves at Devonshire Bay at approximately 8pm this evening
Update 9.45pm: In their 8pm update, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Leslie is 430 miles south south-east of Bermuda, and moving towards the north at 1mph. Leslie was 440 miles off Bermuda at 5am today. The hurricane’s maximum sustained winds are near 75mph [120km/h] with higher gusts.
The NHC said: “Leslie is stationary and little motion is expected tonight. A slow Northward drift should begin on Friday. No significant change in strength is anticipated tonight, but Leslie will likely begin to intensify on
Friday.”
YIKES!
@Wait and See: You are funny and I concur as well…YIKES!!
Yikes indeed! Although yesterdays picture was looking more like a direct hit. Hopefully this little lady will change her mind – it’s a woman’s perogative after all
Stay safe everyone!
looks much better
Take a look here http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCMAT2+shtml/060839.shtml? & see what really counts when dealing with hurricanes, the wind field.
Sunday morning, at its near closest point passing to the east, 50kt(57mph) gusts are projected only to extend 70-80 miles west of center. 34kt wind 150 to 160miles in the westerly quadrants.
Don’t get too worked up by all of the hype.
Information is right there for anyone who cares to look for themselves & it is right from the National Hurricane Center.
Just remember though that the forecast track is never the actual track. Take a look at the track that Felix took in 1995; Heading straight for us until, at only 70 miles to our South, it inexplicably turned 90 degrees to the left and went around us, only to then swing around 180 degrees two days later and come back at us in a Southerly direction.
All I am saying is… be prepared for anything when a Hurricane is in your vicinity.
Just a little note for you Drifter, who do you think the BWS consult with during hurricanes around Bermuda? From the BWS its not hype that is extended, but more caution so that Joe Public doesn’t say things like “Don’t get too worked up by all of the hype” and take the storm for granted.
People who didn’t get too worked up by all the hype lost their lives. Get worked up and get prepared for whatever. It’s what people who care about their life and others lives do.
Local forecastors dont have a clue, yesturday south wind, today north winds. The storm was going to our east yesterday,just like today, so why the huge change in wind direction?
Yup, they have it right now. Yesterday it was wind direction east, VEARING i.e. clockwise to the SW. Today it is easterly BACKING i.e. ANTIclockwise to a westerly direction as it passes.
Basic meteorology.
What do you make of this then TD? NOAA predicts its going to be gusting from 90 – 110kts on Sunday morning at 6am whilst moving at 1 kts. Its the slow movement of the hurricane (and therefore prolonged winds) that could be the issue – not necessarily the modearate wind speeds.
FORECAST VALID 09/0600Z 31.0N 63.0W
MAX WIND 90 KT…GUSTS 110 KT.
50 KT…100NE 90SE 70SW 80NW.
34 KT…200NE 200SE 150SW 160NW.
Would never trust weather.bm. Wunderground.com has had the winds right for the last few days!
May someone kindly explain the tracking map –
Fri 3am….Thu 3pm…Fri 3pm
Was is meant to begin with Thurday 3am, then go to Thursday 3am, then, Friday 3pm….etc…
Bernews, can you find out what is happening with the garbage pick up for Ord rd Warwick area as well as Railway Trail and all adjoining areas. We have not had any pick up all week and the entire place stinks!
I cant imagine what it would look like after a storm if they NEGLECTED to pick the garbage up…..maybe you can ask Minister Furbert as there are alot of tourist that stay in this area and we wouldn’t want the secret troops to get ahold of this next debockle.
Also the Rats are like l have never seen before in the area! EVERYWHERE!
These rats are the size of a cat,and as you drive by in certain areas you see them feeding in the not picked up trash, but also the crows, and birds are also pecking at the trash…can someone explain why in certain areas the trash is not being picked up…Bermuda is becoming so filthy, and if you lot are tired of me telling it like it is……take off your rose coloured glasses,and face reality.
so again, wheres the health department?
It smells awful too! I tried to eat outside at Waterlot the other night and couldn’t do it. The stench coming out of that huge pipe is so vile!! This can’t be healthy for us or the marine life! Yes, totally reminds me of Haiti!
The health dept have no teeth..there are situations around Bermuda that cause health risks… like pools that have not been drained properly , and are breeding grounds for the west nile virus, but who the hell cares about this in the dept of health ? they are a bunch of idiots…..
FYI -please, the word is “debacle” not debockle.
Yes, understand your concern about the Rats. Where is the vector control?
If the lastest projection from the NHC holds true the CPA on Sunday will be 75-100 miles east of here.
50kt plus winds only extend 70-80 miles in the western quadrants meaning that we only get hurricane force winds, if any, for a short time.
Looks like a brush by. Lucky Bermuda.
Agree that the eastward shift as of this morning is more positive than previous guidance. The projected track did actually move slightly more westward since this morning, but still further east than yesterday. There is no doubt the western side of the storm is far less intense than the eastern side. However, what you need to fully appreciate is that the ‘circle’ in the forecast map represents the possible position of the eye of the storm. you can’t just assume that the storm will go down the middle of circle (though the probability is greater). The eye of the storm could very well be anywhere in that circle; perhaps further east and we get next to nothing or perhaps further west and we get slammed. Very unwise at this juncture for claims of ‘hype’ or ‘inept’ forecasting by BWS (who by the way is really simply just relaying the official forecast track from NHC).
Tune in here next month when the govt takes credit for “their continued turning around of Bermuda’s economy.”
Govt: “See, liquor sales were up the week of Sept 8th, as were candles, generators, tarps, gloves, plywood and other building supplies……. Construction is back! We are on the mend Bermuda!!!”
And sadly, some blind voters will forget all about our retail friend, Leslie, and her short visit.
Bermuda….so much more like a 3rd world nation every day. sad.
Have you finished boarding up your windows? Ok now board up that trap please!
THE BWS is indeed in coordination with the NHC. They track you see on the BWS site is the same track as the NHC. The slow movement of this storm is creating difficulty for predicting the exact track so things can still change drastically.
As I so often tell my co-workers from overseas…the most predictable thing about a hurricane is its unpredictability…